EARLY BIRD PRICING UNTIL MAY 18, 2026!
This 5 day workshop will support contact improvisers to access more clarity, connection and choice in our dancing.
* Clarity: with our connection to how we inhabit our body and align our body to the physical forces of gravity and buoyancy regardless of the amount of weight shared.
*Connection: with our whole body and our partner’s whole body through the point of contact as intelligent responsive organisms.
*Choice: organizing our bodies and giving the amount of weight in any given moment that opens a cornucopia of possibilities rather than limiting it to a particular expectation or pathway.
Specific areas we will work with
Layers of touch communication (skin, superficial fascia, deep fascia, periosteum, bone)
Awakening whole body intelligence, organization responsiveness and adaptability
Precision in the ever changing skeletal alignment with earth and space as we co-create in connection with our partner(s)
Taking and offering weight in 3D space
Modulating weight
Dancing with lightness
gives us a much larger range in how we dance and who we can dance with.
can be a key to the door of highly athletic, dynamic and surprising dances.
supports skill development for sustainable dancing over our lifetime
aLICIA gRAYSON
Alicia GRayson
Alicia has been passionately involved with dancing, teaching and performing Contact Improvisation internationally for the past 37 years.
She has taught CI as an adjunct faculty at George Washington University, University of Denver, Naropa University and Shenandoah University. She teaches CI classes in Boulder, CO, and regularly travels nationally and internationally to teach.
Her long time practices of authentic movement, yoga and pilates and her love of nature are important influences on her dancing and teaching.
She facilitates somatically based transformational workshops, teaches yoga and pilates and works with individuals in-person and online.
She is a certified Hakomi therapist, certified perinatal somatic attachment therapist, certified Feminine Power transformational coach and facilitator and certified Biodynamic Breath and Trauma Release practitioner.
She delights in exploring and discovering new depths to contact improvisation and related disciplines and is particularly interested in the intersection of physics and expression and the mind/body relationship. She is dedicated to supporting her fellow humans to be the most amazing embodied beings that we are!
DATES
July 17th - 21st, 2026
Arrival Day: July 17th (welcome & set up camp) 4-6:00pm
Departure Day: July 21st, classes end 6:00 pm
Possible to stay overnight on the 21st if needed for ferry travel - no breakfast served on the 22nd.
Possible to stay on for the SSI CI Summer Festival for additional fee (camping and meal plan).
SAMPLE SCHEDULE
8:30-9:30AM BREAKFAST
8:00-9:00AM CDP WITH SELENA
10:00AM-1:00PM MORNING CLASS WITH ALICIA
1:30- 2:30PM LUNCH
3:00-5:30PM AFTERNOON CLASS WITH ALICIA
6:30-7:30PM DINNER
8:00-11PM CI JAM WITH SELENA
TRAVEL TO SALT SPRING ISLAND
Travel by air to Vancouver International Airport YVR or Victoria YYJ Airport.
Salt Spring Island is a popular tourist destination. Travel during the summer months can be BUSY! Best to reserve your route as early as possible (reserve your flight or ferry travel).
We will organize a rideshare for those interested. Its also a great way to meet your fellow attendees before the gathering.
If you are coming by foot (i.e. no car) we can organize a pick up for you at the Harbour Air or Ferry terminals if you let us know in advance.
TRAVEL BY AIR from Vancouver YVR Airport (select Richmond YVR Airport) on Harbour Air into Ganges Harbour on Salt Spring Island. The travel is 35 mins. This can be helpful if traveling to YVR airport already from elsewhere. You will need to transfer to the South Terminal via airport shuttle (free) or taxi (paid) (may take between 15 and 30 mins depending on traffic).
TRAVEL BY SEA on BC Ferries. There are 2 main options:
Travel direct from Tsawwassen ferry terminal to Long Harbour, Salt Spring Island (1 or 2 options daily). The crossing is 40 mins. See schedule here
Travel via Swartz Bay (Victoria)
Tsawwassen ferry terminal to Swartz Bay Terminal (Victoria) This option is available every hour daily. he crossing is 25 mins. See schedule here
THEN TRANSFER
Swartz Bay to Fulford Harbour (Salt Spring Island). This option available every approximately every 2 hrs daily. See schedule here
Travel questions? Please ask! info@rhizomesprings.com
TRAVEL TO RHIZOME SPRINGS ON SALT SPRING ISLAND
We are located in the south end of Salt Spring Island. The road is not paved, but maintained and graded semi frequently. Although it can be rough, most vehicles can drive it without issue. The key is to DRIVE SLOWLY. We will send complete directions upon registration. Questions? info@rhizomesprings.com
Location Details
Salt Spring Island is a small town community (pop ~10,000). The closest store is 20 min drive (Fulford Harbour). The main town, Ganges, is 35 min drive away with a grocery store, ATM, cafes, pharmacy, small hospital and some general supply stores. There are no big box stores and limited amenities on island. The famous Salt Spring Island Saturday Farmers Market has fresh local produce and lots of famous artisanal food and crafts. There are lots of local farm stands selling home made/grown produce, baking, kombucha, soaps, teas, etc.
Tent/Car camping included. Please bring your own gear (tent, sleeping mat/bag). We have some tents/gear for rent (please inquire prior to coming if interested).
Potable water on site. Bring your own water bottle and mug for coffee/tea.
Bring clothes to dress in layers, as the weather is unpredictable. Sometimes cooler nights/mornings and very hot afternoons/eves.
We have showers. Only biodegradable soaps/shampoos please.
The ocean or lake are within a 10 min drive. Sensitive eco systems - no oils/soaps etc.
The land is a sensitive ecosystem and we count on you to respect and honour this by cleaning up after yourself, preserving water, being fauna and flora aware and embodying the animal this land asks for.
Stinging nettle is on the property. Brushing with this is NOT as severe like poison oak. Symptoms are a tingly-burny sensation (like having rubbed against sandpaper) that may last for a few minutes to few hours (depending on your sensitivity).
Bring: headlamp, footwear to meet a rugged landscape, sun hats, sunscreen, layered clothing, water bottle, mug for coffee/tea, journal, pen, tent, sleeping mat, bag, pillow, towel, toiletries.
Food
3 delicious meals provided daily (breakfast, lunch, dinner) lovingly prepared by our dancing resident chefs!
Always available: tea/coffee
If you like to snack during the day, best to bring your own.
We source from local and organic foods as much as possible.
We try our best to accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies, so please complete the registration to let us know of any dietary needs you have.
COST
Cost includes camping, classes, evening jams, 3 meals/day (Fri/Sat/Sun/Mon/Tues)
We offer a sliding scale to help make the cost of entry affordable to a variety of financial capacities. Please consider honestly what you can afford, as this will translate to offer our teachers, facilitators and cooks a reasonable compensation for their years of training and practice. You can pay anywhere along the scale suggested.
EARLY BIRD SPECIAL: (until May 18th) CAD$650 - $800
REGULAR PRICE (May 19th onward) CAD $750 - $900
PAYMENT
To complete registration please send full payment to:
Canadians pay via e-transfer to: info@rhizomesprings.com
Password: RHIZOME
Non-Canadians pay via WISE.com
PAYMENT PLAN
To inquire about payment plan options email to: info@rhizomesprings.com
partial wORK tRADE
Partial work trade is available here: WORK TRADE
REFUNDS
*50% refund can be made until June 17th
** no refunds after June 17th
***In case of cancellation of the event all receipts will be refunded less $50 admin fee.
the Studio
Classes will take place in the 50-foot diameter dome, with walls open to fresh air and incredible views from Phoenix Domes